USB Midi Connection Split?

#1

I'm planning to use the Mutable Instruments CVpal with Axoloti to send patches to my moduar synth.

http://mutable-instruments.net/modules/cvpal

I'd also like to control the patch on Axoloti with a USB mid controller.

I'm having trouble working out the best way to do this... If I plug the USB controller into Axoloti, I then don't have a USB port free to send MIDI out to the CVpal (unless the micro-USB on Axoloti can be used for this?)

Do I need a splitter or hub of some kind? Or convert the DIN-MIDI out to a USB connection so I can plug it into the CVpal?

#2

I would hazard a guess that the Axoloti can only host one USB MIDI device (at least at the moment), so a hub wouldn't do you much good.

I think you need one of the following:

A MIDI controller that can send DIN MIDI instead of USB MIDI.

A MIDI to CV converter with a DIN MIDI input.

A USB MIDI host to host either the keyboard or the CVpal and allow you to connect it to a DIN port on the Axoloti. Something such as this: http://mutable-instruments.net/forum/discussion/7514/diy-usb-host-midi-din-converter-usbpal-released-

#3

ok, the usb device code does support multiple midi ports, just not usb hubs.
this means theoretically, a midi hub may work .. but Ive not got one to test.
(e.g. ableton push support has 2 integrates midi ports and that worked, similarly Ive a usb to din converter which exposes each din plug as a port and that works , so I can have 2 output dins, or 1 in , 1 out etc.)

I know a bit vague, but perhaps if some one has something like an iConnectMidi, they may be able to tell us what combinations work.

#4

Right, so it supports multiple ports but only within one device? That's useful to know, I think my Microkontrol has two ports over USB.

#5

yes, USB class compliant midi devices can expose multiple ports, and these will all be picked up by axoloti.
e.g. ableton push has, 'user midi port' and 'live midi port' , each of which of course then has 16 channel.
and I tested this, so I know it works...

but please note, some device MAY choose to expose these as a usb hub with multiple midi devices connected, which would not work with axoloti.
most users would not be able to 'see' the difference, as in windows/mac/linux often the two approaches 'look' identical. (its only if you look at the device tree carefully can you see it)

which is why Id recommend its tested, rather than be able to guarantee it works or not, please report on the USB devices thread if you test it, and its working, Im sure others will find it useful :smile:

#6

I have an iConnectMidi2+, will do some connections, report back :wink:

This is from console:
Axoloti says: USB Device Attached
Axoloti says: PID: 0h
Axoloti says: VID: 0h
Axoloti says: Address (#1) assigned.
Axoloti says: Manufacturer : N/A
Axoloti says: Product : N/A
Axoloti says: Serial Number : N/A
Axoloti says: Enumeration done.
Axoloti says: Default configuration set.
Axoloti says: Switching to Interface (#3)
Axoloti says: Class : 1h
Axoloti says: SubClass : 3h
Axoloti says: Protocol : 0h
Axoloti says: USB Host Input size requests : 40
Axoloti says: USB Host Input interval : 0
Axoloti says: USB Host Output size requests : 40
Axoloti says: USB Host Output interval : 0
Axoloti says: USB Host Output connected to 3 : 81
Axoloti says: USB Host Input connected to 3 : 81
Axoloti says: MID class started.

#7

So, I recall (1.0.4 or .5 ) first time I connected both (Axoloti-iConnectMidi2+) i got this:
iConnectMIDI2+ Device port 1
Axoloti says: USB Device Attached
Axoloti says: PID: 0h
Axoloti says: VID: 0h
Axoloti says: Address (#1) assigned.
Axoloti says: Manufacturer : N/A
Axoloti says: Product : N/A
Axoloti says: Serial Number : N/A
Axoloti says: Enumeration done.
Axoloti says: Default configuration set.
Axoloti says: Device not supporting MID class.

Something has changed.

Using this

most of the time console says:
Axoloti says: usbh_MidiSend3 : ring buffer overflow
Axoloti says: usbh_MidiSend3 : ring buffer overflow
....
have tried usb host port 1/2/3/4

#8

Im a bit confused, are you saying with 1.08 you are getting this?

or

the later (from your first post) looks fine, the other looks like the device is not recognised as being usb class compliant.

as for...

this is saying it cannot write to the device fast enough or at all,
basically the messages wait in a ring buffer until they are able to be written to the device.
I'm assuming you have something connect to all ports of the iConnectMidi?
its a little odd, as it would appear its not able to send anything to the iConnectMidi

(technically writing to different ports is identical to axoloti, its just one connection, a bit similar to the way midi channels are)

are you able to received messages from all connections on your iConnect Midi? i.e. connect a keyboard to each port, and see if its picked up by axoloti.

#9

Thinking again, iConnectMidi+2 had a new recent firmware; so only now its usb class compliant.

Yes this is the last one :wink: sorry for confusions

Ok this is "serious" will check again/change usb cable. I did reset all internal connections and reconnect just the ones needed.
I only use iConnect with the Continuum > MBP - Ipad > MBP (all ok)

#10

in the meantime (hope this will not add more confusions)

Some more thinking, testing/connecting.

Same above patch this time used Roland UM-2G (2DIN IN/OUT) USB Midi Interface
works great!!
I can "address" Axo Device usb host port 1 or 2 to talk to Roland MIDI 1 or MIDI 2

Axoloti says: USB Device Attached
Axoloti says: PID: 107h
Axoloti says: VID: 582h
Axoloti says: Address (#1) assigned.
Axoloti says: Manufacturer : Roland
Axoloti says: Product : UM-2G
Axoloti says: Serial Number : N/A
Axoloti says: Enumeration done.
Axoloti says: This device has only 1 configuration.
Axoloti says: Default configuration set.
Axoloti says: Switching to Interface (#1)
Axoloti says: Class : 1h
Axoloti says: SubClass : 3h
Axoloti says: Protocol : 0h
Axoloti says: USB Host Output size requests : 40
Axoloti says: USB Host Output interval : 0
Axoloti says: USB Host Input size requests : 40
Axoloti says: USB Host Input interval : 0
Axoloti says: USB Host Output connected to 1 : 1
Axoloti says: USB Host Input connected to 1 : 81
Axoloti says: MID class started.

#11

cool that the Roland UM-2G works :smile:

hmm, iConnectMidi2+, looking at the specs it implies you should be able to get 10 ports
1, 2 or default to the DIN, 3 the other device port .. and then say 4 is 'free',
I assume the other ports are done in port mapping.

unfortunately, I don't have one here to test, so its a bit tricky to say what its exposing to axoloti.
and its a pretty complex device to configure etc.

the way i tracked this down on the push, was to see what 'ports' i could receive on.
to do this, you can create a patch/patcher .. edit it, put a keyb on it, attached to an oscillator etc.
then in the setting, turn on midi selector. from there you can select a port.
so you could see which ports you could receive midi data on.

#12

Thanks for staying on this; seems I have hijacked the thread ;-(
I'll be moving the testing part to USB Midi Controllers and add some more.

iConnectMidi2+ IS a bit of a nightmare to get used to; and with a bad firmware or "leftovers" or something, not fair!!

Following your suggestion, Axoloti does receive individually the 4 midi port from iConnectMIDI2+
example:

iConnectMIDI2+ Device port 2 > Axoloti (choose between 4 midi ports)
iConnectMIDI2+ Device port 1 > ipad (choose between 4 midi ports)

Do to its nature of everything can communicate to everything (2 physical I/O DIN Midi and 2 USB devices, the latter each having 4 ports) you have this total of 10 Midi ports (at least this is the way i see it, someone correct me if i'm wrong here).

Next will test sending from Axo - USB host port 1-2-3-4